Meath and Fermanagh share the spoils in Navan

Meath and Fermanagh played out an entertaining 0-12 to 1-09 draw in Páirc Tailteann as this year's Allianz Football Leagues got underway with this Division 2 clash.

The Ernesiders will feel like they should have won with the chances they had over the course of the contest, but a stubborn Meath side were determined not to let that happen in their own back yard.

An excellent display from Sean Cassidy, who posted a first-half tally of 1-01, saw the visitors lead by three at the break but an equally impressive performance from Meath’s Eoghan Frayne, with a total of five points from the Summerhill man, meant the sides could not be separated in the end.

A return of just one point from Colm O’Rourke’s starting full-forward line leaves the Royals with plenty to work on before next weekend’s tricky trip to Armagh while Fermanagh host Kildare next weekend.

The game looked to be swinging the way of both sides at certain points throughout, but neither of them could maintain any real grasp on proceedings resulting in a tense conclusion as the game entered the final ten minutes.

Both sides had serious goal chances to steal the win as the clock ticked down. Ultan Kelm had a gilt-edged chance for Fermanagh with Matthew Costello having an equally good chance at the town end immediately afterwards.

Lee Cullen opened the scoring for the visitors, probing into a scoreable position before slotting a relaxed point over from distance unopposed.

Meath responded well with Daithi McGowan pointing twice in the following five minutes and it was was two points each after 15 minutes of play as Shane McGullion replied for Kieran Donnelly’s side.

There was a decent pace to the game in the opening half with both sides content to go direct once in possession.